Member's Area

Qualifications

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Choose a qualification to view:

IFMGA Mountain Guide

This is the highest qualification available. The guide is qualified in both Climbing and Ski disciplines, carries the carnet of the International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations (IFMGA) and is able to guide internationally. There are no specific terrain limitations except those imposed by personal or experience limitations and the qualification is recognised world wide.

Climbing Guide

Climbing Guides are able to undertake all climbing and mountaineering activities in New Zealand where skiing is not the main objective.

Climbing Guides have the guiding and instructional skills needed to work in alpine rock, snow, and ice terrain, in both summer and winter. They can be seen guiding and providing instruction on the local rock crags, frozen waterfalls and leading expeditions throughout New Zealand's mountains. NZMGA Climbing Guides have gained a reputation as among the best throughout the world's great ranges.

Ski Guide

Ski Guides are able to undertake all skiing (and snow boarding) activities in New Zealand, including ascents of non-technical peaks (no harder than grade 1 Logans) as part of a ski tour.

Ski Guides have the guiding and instructional skills needed to work in the backcountry ski and snowboard environment. This includes but is not limited to heli ski guiding, ski mountaineering and instruction, on glaciated and non glaciated terrain. NZMGA Ski Guides are leaders in the field of avalanche safety and management and in addition to guiding, often work as specialists in avalanche hazard management as both snow safety officers on snow sport areas and/or as avalanche instructors.

Aspirant Guide

A member who has been issued by the NZMGA this internationally recognised level of training - having met the required minimum 50 group structured days of training as per the IFMGA common platform 2009. The training involves both ski and climb guide training.

The IFMGA nations recognise the value of guides in training being exposed to a variety of experiences and aspirants are encouraged to work internationally under a programme of supervision.

If working in Europe, Aspirant Guides must always work under direct IFMGA supervision as per the rules of each IFMGA member country the Aspirant Guide may wish to work in.

Assistant Climbing Guide

A member who has passed the NZMGA Training and Certification Scheme Level 1 assessment in the Climb discipline.
Assistant Climbing Guides are required to work within a supervision programme where a mix of direct and indirect supervision is provided by an NZMGA or ACMG Climbing Guide, or an IFMGA Mountain Guide. There are specific terrain limitations governing the work of Assistant Guides.

Assistant Ski Guide

Assistant Ski Guides are required to work within a supervision programme where a mix of direct and indirect supervision is provided by an NZMGA or ACMG Ski Guide or IFMGA Mountain Guide. There are specific terrain limitations governing the work of Assistant Guides.

Trainee Ski Guide

These guides have successfully passed the 14 day Ski Guide entry exam prior to March 2011.

Under the NZMGA mentoring requirements, they must be directly supervised for their first 3 days of guiding, they then graduate to Assistant Guides.

Supervision is by an NZMGA qualified guide in the same discipline, or IFMGA Mountain Guide.
Trainee guides are not to take sole charge of a client in difficult or complex guiding situations.A Trainee Ski Guide heliskiing may only ski with their group following the Supervising Guide’s group.

Alpine Trekking Guide

Able to lead groups up to and through sub alpine walking terrain (maximum grade 1 Logan) where permanent snow may be encountered and where risk minimisation may require the use of the rope.
Guide in all other non-glaciated terrain where the skills of alpinism are required, but where a rope would not normally expect to be used. Alpine Trekking Guides may also directly assist Climbing and IFMGA Mountain Guides on névé walks.

Assistant Alpine Trekking Guide

Must be supervised by an Alpine Trekking Guide, Climbing Guide or IFMGA Mountain Guide at all times.
Are able to lead groups up to and through sub alpine walking terrain (maximum grade 1) where permanent or seasonal snow may be encountered.

There are strict and specific Terrain Guidelines for Assistant Alpine Trekking Guides.

Hard Ice Guide

Hard Ice Guides are able to lead groups and instruct ice climbing on the lower, hard ice areas of glaciers.

A Hard Ice Guide has training and a specific qualification relating to their part of the guiding industry. S/he is only to work on the lower, hard ice areas of glaciers. Their work is conducting guided glacier walks, instruction, and ice climbing in these areas.

These guides have the specialist skills required to work in this challenging environment and provide a safe informative guide service for visitors. New Zealand Hard Ice Guides are in popular demand on the worlds great glaciers walks.